ANTI-SUBMARINE DUTY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1939, Page 9

ANTI-SUBMARINE DUTY

BRITISH DECISION

TO COST £11,000,000

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received August 3, 11.30 a.m.)] }

RUGBY, August 2. *

The addition of 180 anti-sub-marine and patrol vessels to tha Navy as part of the 1939 programme and at a cost of about £11,000,000, for which a Supplementary Estimate will be required, A\ ras announced ia the House of Commons.

The additions include 107 trawler* for mine-sweeping and anti-sub-marine duties, of which 20 will ba specially built for the purpose, and 87 will be purchased and converted. It is also proposed to construct 53 vessels of the whale-catcher typesome for service as patrol vessels and some for anti-submarine duties —19 fleet mine-sweepers, six boom defence vessels, and one cable ship. A floating dock to accommodate small craft of up to 5000 tons is also to be purchased.

Further additions are in contemplation, details of which will be an* nounced as soon as possible.